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Why should kids have all the fun? With its nostalgic memories and opportunity to play dress-up, grownups love Halloween, too! Check out these tips for throwing a monster bash adults will enjoy:

Invitations. Make sure to get them out in plenty of time (no sooner than a month in advance). Make it clear whether or not guests are to wear costumes and, if so, if there’s a theme (classic movie monsters, historical figures, etc.).

Helpful Hint: Online invitations are a great way to send themed invites, and make it easy for your guests to RSVP.

Décor. Create a festive mood with orange-and-black crepe paper and balloons, and decorate with fake spiders, cobwebs, and creepy displays. Stock up on paper plates, cups and napkins with a fall or Halloween theme.

Helpful Hint: Load your video player with a classic thriller (skip the gore – think old, black-and-white versions of Frankenstein or Dracula) to play with the sound off as a great way to add atmosphere to your spook fest!

Music. Include a collection of upbeat, Halloween-themed songs like “Monster Mash,” “Love Potion #9” and “Thriller.”

Helpful Hint: While guests are still arriving, play a CD made up of creepy or funny sound effects, like creaking doors, lonely howls, and witches’ cackles.

Games. You can leave bobbing for apples to the kids, but games are a great way to keep everyone involved. Pool and Ping-Pong tables always keep the conversation lively, while many people enjoy darts or karaoke.

Helpful Hint: Most adults like to have some time to visit and talk, so try not to fill the night with planned activities.

Costumes. Costumes are a must for Halloween parties! Plan to hand out prizes for the funniest, scariest, most original and “best couple” costumes.

Helpful Hint: Have inexpensive masks on hand for guests who may have forgotten to wear a costume.

Food. Finger-food favorites are perfect for a fun and relaxed atmosphere! Offer your guests a cheese, cracker and fruit plate, mini-quiches, sausages, meatballs, raw veggies with dip and snacks such as popcorn and pretzels. Warm up a chilly fall night with bowls of soup or chili that you can keep warm on a buffet table in a slow cooker. For dessert, offer pumpkin- or apple- based cakes, cookies, brownies or pies.

Helpful Hint: Brew up a Halloween punch in a witch’s cauldron with dry ice at the bottom for a spooky fog effect (see below for a sample recipe).

Bring 1 cup of pineapple juice to a boil in saucepan. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Allow to cool. Transfer to a large pitcher. Add orange juice and remaining pineapple juice. Chill. Just before serving, pour into a punch bowl; add ginger ale and mix well. Top with scoops of sherbet. Serves approx. 24.

Winter is coming…follow these timely tips for preparing your yard and garden for the cold months ahead – and for making spring cleanup easier!

Dig up annuals and summer bulbs. If you haven’t done so yet, dig up summer annuals and use them to nourish the compost heap. You should also dig up your summer bulbs and store them in peat moss for the winter.

Provide protection for plants that are sensitive to cold. Shrubs, roses, and perennials that might succumb to blasts of cold should be protected with mulches or screens. Place these protective barriers after the first freeze.

Mow the lawn and feed it. It grows more slowly in the fall, but do cut the grass before winter sets in. Be sure to lower the lawn mower and cut it short to help it dry out more quickly in the spring. Follow up that last cutting with a feeding – the extra nutrients will help it to survive the winter. After the last cutting, drain the gas from your gas mower.

Clean your gardening tools. Wash off caked dirt, and coat both metal parts to prevent rusting, and add linseed oil to wooden handles to keep them from drying out and cracking. Drain your garden hose before putting it away.

When the leaves start to fall and temperatures drop, it’s the perfect time for serving healthy squash seasoned with delicious spices to warm the heart and soul.

Squash isn’t just about a weekend trip to the pumpkin patch for that perfect jack-o-lantern. This fruit, packed with nutrition and a combination of both sweet and savory flavors, will surprise you when you bake, steam, roast or even turn it into a favorite seasonal dessert, pumpkin pie! And that’s just one of the delicious varieties – there are many interesting types of squash to choose from besides the popular pumpkin.

Discover delicious winter squash

Winter squash differs from summer squash because it is harvested after the fruit has fully matured and the skin has hardened into a tough rind. At this stage, it can be stored for use during the winter months.

Buying winter squash

Select squash that’s heavier than it looks. There’s no standard size, so you’ll have to eyeball a squash to estimate the amount you need. Choose fruit that has at least part of its stem attached, and make sure the stem appears hard, dull, solid, and dry (a missing stem means there might be mold or bacterial growth inside). Avoid squash that’s at all discolored, moist, or cracked.

Some squash varieties:

Acorn. Popular for its small size, one acorn squash can be cut in half to make two heaping servings. Choose one with a deep, dark green ring. Keep in mind that the hard rind can be difficult to cut.

Butternut. Popular for its ease of use, butternut squash is small enough to serve a family of four without leftovers. It’s known for its sweet, moist and nutty flavor. The rind is thin enough to peel. Choose one with a dull, tan rind.

Banana. This one is so large that grocery stores often sell it pre-cut into smaller chunks. The tasty variety is best known for its beautiful, golden-colored flesh.

Buttercup. A favorite winter variety, buttercup squash is sweet and creamy with an orange flesh. It tends to be dry, so take that into account when using it in recipes.

Delicata. One of the tastier winter squashes with a creamy pulp that tastes like sweet potatoes.

Turban. This squash has a colorful rind that makes a wonderful centerpiece. You can even hollow it out and use it as a decorative soup tureen!

Spaghetti. After cooking it, you can spoon out the flesh of spaghetti squash and pull out long yellow strands resembling spaghetti. These “noodles” can serve as a low-calorie substitute for pasta.

Pumpkin. Use the smaller “sugar pumpkin” for pies (the larger “jack-o-lantern” style is too watery). Canned pumpkin puree is easy to use in a recipe and makes a good substitute for fresh fruit.

Nutritional value

Winter squash is a good source of complex carbs (which give you energy) and fiber (which fills you up). It’s also loaded with potassium, niacin to maintain healthy skin, iron and beta carotene, which studies suggest aids in preventing both cancer and heart disease. The darker the skin, the higher the beta carotene content. One cup of cooked winter squash contains just 80 calories, is high in vitamins A and C, and a good source of vitamins B, K and folate.

Storing winter squash

Store squash in a cool, dry place (50° to 60° F), where it will last for several months. Once sliced, wrap the pieces in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to five days. Freeze cooked squash for up to one year.

Use squash for holiday decorating! Carved, hollowed out, or left intact, squash can inspire many decorative ideas for in and around the home. Pumpkins, of course, make great Halloween décor, and all types of squash make festive – and inexpensive – tabletop centerpieces for Thanksgiving.

Summer’s the perfect time to take a vacation, but worrying about the expense can make it more stressful than refreshing. Here are some cost-trimming tips that will let you spend less time worrying about money and more time relaxing!

1. Take advantage of coupons. Look online, in the newspaper, in stores and motels or to your travel provider for coupons that will save you money on food, lodging, events and attractions.2. Be flexible with your travel times. You can sometimes save on the cost of a plane ticket by departing or arriving on a different day than you originally planned or even at a different time of day. And do sign up for rewards programs, even if you don’t travel frequently – the services are free, and you may qualify at some point.

3. Travel in groups. Plan a vacation with a few friends or family members to take advantage of group discounts. Book your airline and hotel reservations at the same time to take advantage of package deals.

4. Go light. Many airlines are now charging you to check even one bag – plan to check only one suitcase per person, and avoid using oversized bags. Better yet, travel light with carryon bags only!

5. Rent a car. Believe it or not, this can actually save you money – particularly when compared with the cost of an airport shuttle. You’ll also have the advantage of being able to carry your bags more easily, avoid the cost of a cab, and save wear and tear on your own car. Keep in mind that smaller vehicles are not only cheaper – they generally use less gas, too. Fill the tank yourself before turning in the car – the agency will charge you for a full tank of gas (at their high prices) even if it just needs to be topped off.

6. Stay in a nearby town instead of the town or city you’re visiting. Staying in a small town just a 15- or 20-minute car or train ride away could save a lot of money on hotel rates.

7. Use public transportation. Taxis may be the easiest way to get from point A to point B, but the cost can add up fast. When not using a rental car, rely on trains and buses instead – public transit is much cheaper, and often easier, too.

8. Look for discounts at your destination. Theme parks, museums and other attractions often offer discounts to senior citizens, students, auto club members and children. Make sure to bring your ID and membership cards with you to prove you qualify.

9. Skip the attractions for a day. If you’re spending several days at a vacation destination, take some time away from the attractions. Relax by the hotel swimming pool – your body will thank you for the break and you’ll have more energy for later. After all, you’re paying for it!

10. Stay close to home. Flying off to an exotic location can be exciting, but sticking close to home can be fun and interesting, too – not to mention more affordable! It will also be less of a hassle to get there.

A. The poem “America the Beautiful” was published on July 4, 1895. Written by Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates, it later was set to music and become a popular patriotic song.

Q. The lyrics for the American national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” were written by Francis Scott Key. Who wrote the music?

A. “The Star-Spangled Banner” is set to the tune of an old English drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven”. The composition of the music is attributed to a British composer named John Stafford Smith.

Q. What was the last state to be granted statehood?

A. In 1960, Hawaii was granted statehood; there have been no new states since.

Q. What Centennial gift arrived ten years late?

A. It was intended that the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States, be dedicated in 1876 in commemoration of America’s 100th birthday. Lack of funding slowed the project down, and the actual dedication of the statue took place on October 26, 1886.

Q. Which two original signers of the Declaration of Independence died on July 4th, 1826?

A. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on Independence Day in 1826.

Q. On July 4, 1848, President James Polk laid the cornerstone of which famous structure?

A. The cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid by President James Polk on July 4, 1848.

Convinced your thumb is black instead of green? These five common veggies are so easy to grow, novice gardeners can even grow them in pots on a deck or patio! In no time at all, you’ll be enjoying enough fresh, homegrown veggies to make a respectable salad. Read on!

1. Tomatoes. Whether you’re using them for homemade sauce or fresh in a salad, nothing beats homegrown tomatoes. Large and small varieties can easily be grown in your garden or on a balcony or patio in a container. Start from seed indoors, moving them outside after risk of frost is past, or find at a nursery or garden home center. Popular varieties include Cherry, Beefsteak and Celebrity.

2. Carrots. Sow carrots seeds as soon as the frost is over, and replant every few weeks to enjoy all summer! So easy to grow, they’re ideal for beginning gardeners. They’ll do best in full sunlight and light, sandy soil: easy-to-grow varieties include Nelson, Imperator, Gold Pak, Lady Finger and Short ‘n’ Sweet.

3. Radishes. You’ll start seeing the results of your planting in as little as 4 days with radishes! So easy to grow, and their fresh, peppery flavor is a wonderful addition to salads. Sow them in early spring or fall and harvest in 4 to 5 weeks. Popular varieties include Cherry Belle, White Icicle, Scarlet Globe and Sparkler.

4. Lettuce. Lettuce can be planted any time during the growing season, but it does best during the spring and fall. Stay away from head varieties – the looseleaf or bunch varieties are easier to grow. Popular varieties include Salad Bowl, Lollo Bionda and Oakleaf.

5. Leafy greens. Even easier to grow than lettuce, leafy greens (such as kale, collards, spinach, mustard greens and chard) are even easier to grow and packed with nutrients. Like lettuce, leafy greens can be grown in a garden bed or container – they even do double duty as an attractive ornamental. Try several varieties so you can enjoy leafy greens throughout the growing season.

Directions:

Cust off stem end of jalapeños. Remove the membrane and seeds completely (be careful not to touch your eyes or face as the pepper juice can sting). Mix cheddar cheese and all other ingredients together. Stuff filling into each jalapeño and arrange on the Non-Stick Chili Pepper Rack. Top each stuffed chili pepper with the remaining cheddar cheese. Cook on covered grill using indirect heat 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees Farenheit (191 degrees Celsius), or until peppers are soft and lose their bright green color. For spicier poppers, cook a few minutes less. Yield: 18 Poppers.

Directions:

In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water; let rest for 5 minutes. In medium bowl, combine flours, sugar and salt. Add olive oil to yeast mixture and stir. Stir in half of flour mixture. Gradually mix in remaining flour mixture. Knead dough until it is soft but not sticky, adding more flour if necessary, about 5 minutes. Brush inside of a large bowl with olive oil and add dough, turning to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1½ hours or until doubled in bulk.

Preheat grill. In a small skillet, heat olive oil and garlic over low heat until garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll or press dough into a 12 in. circle. Brush pan with olive oil and place dough on pan. Prick the surface of the crust with a fork. Brush the surface of the dough with garlic oil. Grill for 4-5 minutes, until just beginning to brown. Flip over crust and brush with garlic oil. Top with mozzarella cheese. Arrange tomato slices and artichoke hearts over mozzarella. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Grill pizza for 5-7 minutes, until cheese is melted. Top with fresh basil leaves. Makes 1 12-in. pizza (4-5 servings).

For indoor use: Prepare in a 450°F oven following the same instructions.

Dad can be a hard one to shop for, but, luckily, here at Problem Solvers we know a thing or two about overcoming gifting dilemmas. We’ve pulled together a list of our top three items that will make Dad glad this Father’s Day. Here are some practical problem-solving gifts he’ll actually use:

A gift for the grillmaster

This Chrome Non-Stick Flex Grill Basket stands out from the crowd of grilling gifts for Dad. Designed to keep the grill free from sticky marinades and sauces without compromising on flavor or quality, this grill basket keeps its contents contained and makes flipping his favorite meats and vegetables tidy and mess-free. The basket contours to fit around fresh veggies and tasty cuts to keep cooking even and dishes succulent. Plus, the extended rosewood handle keeps heat at a safe distance and makes for a more enjoyable grilling experience all around.

Treat him to tee time

Related to a guy who just can’t stay off the green? Indulge his pastime passion with our Golf Gear Organizer, the pinnacle of golf gifts for Dad. This unique organizing solution is constructed of solid steel and mesh with three shelves designed to accommodate golf accessories—such as golf shoes, shoe bags, spikes, hats and more—and keep them neatly stacked and separated. The large cubby can accommodate up to two golf bags and their clubs neatly and snuggly, while the small storage bin is ideal for loose items like golf balls, tees and gloves.

Pump up the volume

The best of the best outdoor speakers, our Eton Rugged Rukus Portable, Solar-Powered Wireless Speakers allow Dad to throw on his favorite tunes by the pool, by the beach, at the game, on the boat, in the backyard or just about anywhere else. Lightweight and solar-powered, these cord-free, solar-powered speakers are the perfect way to keep the party going, even without access to an outlet. Designed to capture the sun’s energy, the solar panel enables the device to play all day and for up to 8 hours after sundown! Plus, it wirelessly connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device—smart, simple and eco-friendly.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast—the kind of person who lives for hiking, camping and backpacking trips—you may have developed a nice repertoire of survival skills to deal with many common outdoor challenges and scenarios. But, when disaster strikes, having the right tools on hand can mean the difference between life and death.

Here are our go-to essentials for how to survive in the wilderness:

Think in threes

When it comes to survival, try to think in threes: You can survive for three hours without enough warmth, three days without water and three weeks without food. That makes finding an adequate heat source your number one priority, followed closely by clean water and sustenance—but ideally you’ll have access to all three! If you take one thing with you on your next excursion, make sure it’s our Wise 5-Day Survival Backpack. It includes 38 servings of freeze-dried, dehydrated, gourmet entrées, as well as six 4.227 fl. oz. water pouches, one portable stove including 24 fuel tablets, one stainless steel cup, one squeeze flashlight, one 5-in-1 survival whistle, one N95 dust mask, one set of pocket tissues, three wet naps, one waste bag, one box of waterproof matches, one mylar blanket, one emergency poncho, one set of playing cards and one 47-piece first aid and hygiene kit (including a 37-piece bandage kit). Having this comprehensive survival pack on hand will ensure you have all your essential bases covered.

Get oriented

Finding your way to safety is another key pillar in a successful survival strategy. First of all, unless you have a large flashlight or some other adequate light source, you should never travel at dark; you are much more likely to injure yourself by tripping over obstacles or falling off unseen terrain than you are to make significant progress during the night hours. Once you can see clearly in the light of day, you should make your way towards help by orienting where you are in relation to where you need to go. Those of us who don’t have extensive navigation experience (Siri doesn’t count, unfortunately) may struggle without internet-enabled smartphones or other GPS aids. A quick, simple solution is to invest in a Digital Compass. This weather-resistant device is battery-powered and tells you direction, angle, relative and absolute altitude, barometric pressure, weather forecast and temperature of where you are, and even includes a clock and calendar.

Attract attention

If you suffer an injury, are struggling to find your way or find yourself in some other dilemma that limits your ability to travel, the best thing to do is alert any nearby parties to your presence. With nine different flashing patterns, this LED Road Flare does just that. Activate the bright SOS signal, and anyone within a half a mile will be able to see that you are in distress and need assistance. Plus, the flare is rechargeable and waterproof in water up to 33 feet deep, allowing you to exonerate yourself from even the trickiest situations. And if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Keep firing the flare! After all, you can’t be rescued if no one knows you’re there in the first place.

Whether it's Mother's Day, Christmas, her birthday, an anniversary or “just because,” Problem Solvers is your one-stop shop for gifts that are luxurious and thoughtful, yet practical and innovative.

If you find yourself stumped on what would cheer your favorite lady, try any of these three gift ideas for Mom:

Help her keep track of her valuables

If you’ve ever seen your mom misplace her keys, wallet or lipstick, frantically dig through her purse and dump out half of its contents, the Pouchee Purse Organizer is the solution she needs. This attractive, faux leather organizer is like a wallet and mini-purse in one! With designated slots, pockets, pouches and other areas, it has space for all her essential personal items, including credit cards, keys, phone, ID, sunglasses, cosmetics, medication and more. What makes this organizer so brilliant, however, is how easy it is to transfer between bags. If Mom loves to change her purse depending on her outfit or plans for the day, this organizer is for her! Its small carrying rings make it simple to move contents from bag to bag and ensure that all her essentials make the transition.

Gardening shouldn’t be a pain in her knees

Featuring a soft, weatherproof foam pad, this Folding Garden Kneeler/Seatis a versatile piece that can be used as a comfortable place to kneel, or flipped over and used as a sturdy bench. She’ll be able to kneel closely by plots that need weeding, or sit as she prunes, pots or plants! Give her a gift that fosters her favorite outdoor pastime, without putting unnecessary strain on her knees, back and joints.

Treat her to a massage at home

Being an awesome mom can be an exhausting job, so be sure to treat her to a little pampering. Our Bendable Massageris a battery-operated, cord-free massager that delivers precise relief to joints, muscles and other problem areas. This massager’s bendable head will allow her to target any spot prone to aches and pains at the touch of a button. Give her the gift of unlimited massages!

If you live in a Keurig-dependent household—as many of us do—it’s likely you’ve built quite the collection of different K-Cup brands, flavors, seasonal blends, etc. With so many delicious grounds to choose from, those single-cup capsules have a tendency to dominate and completely overtake all available surface space on kitchen counters and hide out in every cabinet nook and cranny—until slowly you’ve relinquished control of your kitchen to those sneaky, indomitable coffee cups…

Enough! It’s time to reclaim control of your kitchen. Luckily, the YouCopia® CoffeeStack® 40 K-Cup®/Single-Cup Coffee Organizer is here to save the day for any dedicated K-Cup lover. With enough space to house up to 40 single-cup capsules, this four-drawer unit is a slim, storage must-have. You can even stack multiple units! (But if you have that many K-Cups, it may be time for an intervention…)

Spread your baked goods out evenly on a cooling rack

Baking enthusiasts know that achieving the perfect golden cookie, cake or pie is both art and science. Measuring ingredients and combining their proportions carefully are both important steps in the art of baking—as is allowing your goods to cool completely before you move on to layering, frosting or decorating—that is, unless you were trying to achieve a gooey, messy end result.

If you live in an apartment (or just have limited counter space), this 3-Tier Cooling Rack is a perfect place to cool homemade candy, cookies, pies, cakes and more. Stackable and collapsible, it also features supportive arm brackets that can be used to hold heavier items, or swung around out of the way to accommodate wider cookie sheets. Plus, each tier can be used as a standalone baking rack. Space saving and versatile!

Protect your pie crust from scorching

Anyone who’s made a pie crust from scratch can attest that it isn’t exactly a task for the faint of heart. Achieving that delectable, buttery crust takes time, elbow grease, skill and an intimate knowledge of dough-to-flour ratios. So when the time comes for you to pull that perfectly shaped pie out of the oven, only to discover that the edges have carbonized and crumbled in a burnt mess…well, let’s just say, civilians should beware the wrath of a disappointed baker.

Becoming a smart traveler usually takes time, experience and maybe a few mishaps… but our Problem Solvers team didn’t want you to have to go through all of that! That’s why we came up with these three simple hacks to help you avoid common traveling woes.

Put liquids in smaller toiletry bottles that meet TSA requirements

Transferring your shampoos, conditioners, soap and other necessities into smaller bottles (no more than 3 oz) in your carry-on is one of the smartest moves you can make when traveling. With a little advance planning, you’ll never scramble to find containers and plastic baggies in the line at security, or have to sprint to repack your checked luggage again! In fact, by organizing your toiletries ahead of time and bringing only the amount you’ll need for the duration of your trip, you can often avoid checking luggage (and potentially losing your personal items) altogether. The PakUrDerm Travel Kit system has everything you need to stay one step ahead of the TSA’s liquid restrictions. It contains six 2.8 oz containers with easy-grip tops and wide openings that are easy to fill with all your personal care essentials. Plus, the kit comes with a set of blank, waterproof, pre-printed labels and an included marker, so you can clearly mark the bottles’ contents and prevent confusion.

Keep in touch on the go—without running out of juice

If you have multiple devices that you use on a regular basis—phone, tablet, laptop, mp3 player, eReader, etc.—you know how quickly one or more of those can lose power when you only have one charger. Whether you’re working from the road or trying to keep multiple people entertained on a long road trip, the Charge™ Quad USB Power Hub™ 9.6 provides four USB ports to keep up to four devices charged with 2.4A of power. (That’s enough power to charge up to four iPads™ at once!) With a USB power hub on hand, you’ll never struggle to stay connected on the road again.

Stash your money, passport and other valuable items in a discreet money belt

If you’ve ever traveled far from home, you’re likely to have experienced some minor anxiety about the safety of your valuables. Designed to reduce even the slightest stress at the location of important personal items—like credit cards, foreign currency, passport, cash, ID, keys, prescription medication or just about anything else—our BANDI® Travel and Money Belt rests comfortably around waist sizes 30-42 inches, subtly conforming to your body and offering a discreet location to store extra-sensitive items. You’ll never have to worry about being pick-pocketed on public transit or accidentally losing your passport in a foreign capital with this safe, secure travel solution.

And this is just the beginning of our stress-free travel solution ideas! For more ways to stay organized on the fly, check out our extensive collection of travel problem solvers.

We’ve all been there. You take off your gloves to type something on your smartphone (answer a text or an email, type in a search, navigate on a map, etc.), put them back on… and promptly receive a response that needs a reply. You take them off, put them back on, take them off, put them on—the cycle continues, and it’s exhausting! Nip the hassle in the bud by investing in a pair of Touch Screen Gloves. They’re sleek, warm and are designed with touchscreen-compatible fingertips, allowing you to use your smartphone without having to remove your gloves. No more frozen fingertips or complicated juggling. They even glow in the dark!

Battle the darkness with all-natural light therapy

Winter blues got you down? You’re not alone; approximately 3% of the American population is said to suffer from seasonal affective disorder. Experts believe a lack of natural sunlight causes your body’s natural circadian rhythms to become out of sync, causing symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, difficulty concentrating and depressed mood. The HappyLight™ Natural Spectrum Daylight Lamp uses natural light therapy to counteract these symptoms by replicating daylight during winter’s darkest days. It’s a simple, chemical-free solution to increase productivity and brighten your mood. After all, you can’t make spring come early—but you can trick your mind into believing it has!

Insulate outdoor faucets to avoid frozen pipes

Winter weather can be tough on your plumbing. As water freezes, it expands, putting an enormous amount of pressure on your pipes. To prevent damaging ruptures and costly repairs, you can inexpensively freeze-proof your outdoor faucet by investing in a Faucet Sock. This simple solution covers and insulates your faucet from rain, snow, wind and freezing temperatures to protect the fixture and prevent residual water from freezing in your pipes. It’s also easy to install and ensures you’ve safely removed your hose before the winter months to minimize potential freezing.

Don’t despair, our simple solutions to your wintertime worries don’t end here. Check out more of our affordable, effective winter problem solvers, and enjoy more snow and less stress!

It’s day two of the biggest consumer electronics show of the year, and all of the latest and greatest gadgets have come out to play. Our product manager Beth has been walking the floor in search of 2014’s hottest problem solvers.

Here are some of the highlights of her favorite upcoming product trends:

A Bluetooth-enabled alarm clock that connects and syncs with your mobile device--and has a lighting feature to wake you up naturally! (No more beeping, buzzers or waking up on the wrong side.)

Following in the footsteps of robotic vacuum cleaners, this robotic gutter cleaner features spinning bristles to rapidly and automatically unclog leaves from your gutter.

Vehicle holders equipped for any mobile device.

Is it a stylish clutch? Is it a Bluetooth speaker? Or could it be BOTH? Why yes! Easily transport your tunes from location to location with this handy carrying clutch with shoulder strap; simply pop open when you'd like to place or receive a call, or if the inspiration to jam strikes you.

Click here to see more of the newest, hottest problem solvers--fresh off the floor!--and stay tuned for more live updates from the nation's most innovative shows.

As we settle into a new year, many of us will feel inspired to create newer, better versions of ourselves to settle into, as well. Financial and fitness goals are among some of the most common resolutions year after year—so why not check off two resolutions at once with some of our most cost-effective, health and fitness problem solvers?

1) T-Fal Two-Speed, Dishwasher-Safe JuicerThe first step towards better fitness is to make sure you’re promoting optimal health from the inside out. Eating right for your body and getting the requisite vitamins and minerals is essential to achieving nutritional balance, managing weight, fueling exercise and preventing disease. For those of us who struggle to eat enough fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, juicing can be a great strategy to ensure we get those crucial nutrients. The T-Fal Two-Speed, Dishwasher-Safe Juicer features a whole fruit feeding tube, two speeds for hard or soft fruit/vegetables, a 1.25-liter pitcher. Plus, it’s completely dishwasher-safe for easy, daily use. With this easy-to-use juicer, you can juice any fruit or vegetable to create delicious and nutritious concoctions, completely free of added chemicals or artificial ingredients.

Getting moving is essential to kick-starting your body into better health, but setting goals and celebrating victories is just as important! The Slim-Line Pocket Pedometer includes a lithium coin cell battery, carrying strap and 7-day activity tracker. It allows you to track your steps, average speed, calories burned and distance traveled, so you can focus on your fitness goals and set daily targets that help you achieve long-term results.

Whether you’re in the market for Madonna arms or just looking to build strength for simple daily tasks, the Top-Toner™ Upper Body Exerciser is a tool designed to tone hard-to-reach muscles in your arms and chest. After age 50, the average person loses approximately 1-2% of muscle mass each year. Dedicate as little as three minutes daily to chest-lifting and arm-toning exercises for a fast, effective upper body workout that will prevent crucial muscle loss (keeping you strong and active well into your later life) and leave you trim and toned for a happy, healthy 2014!

Finding a device to wow that special tech savant in your life can be a challenge, especially when you don’t have several hundred dollars to spend. Luckily, we’ve got a few gifting tricks up our sleeve that are guaranteed to impress the keenest gadget lover—without breaking the bank:

1) powerLEAF Portable Battery Charger

A perfect solution for the electronic device collector, the powerLEAF Portable Battery Charger features a sleek design that synthesizes all those chargers and USB cables into one. Help your gadget-loving friend skip the long search for an electrical outlet in public places by providing them with this unique tool that provides hours and hours of backup battery power. They’ll never lose touch with the technology they love. Plus, no more untangling cords or searching for scattered chargers!

2) Mohzy™ Loop Micro USB Cable Wristband

Ideal for students and busy professionals alike, the Mohzy™ Loop Micro USB Cable Wristband is an ingenious way to make sure she’s never without her USB cord again. Being able to connect can be vital at certain moments—like when printing final papers, presenting reports or just syncing devices on the go—and this simple solution allows you to wear your USB cord as a bracelet, keeping it perpetually within arm’s reach.

3) bluGENIUS Wireless Bluetooth Speaker/Speakerphone

The bluGENIUS Wireless Bluetooth Speaker/Speakerphone is a practical gift for any gadget lover on the go. Perfect for traveling professionals, commuters or busy parents, the magnetic function easily and strongly attaches to clothing, utilizing handy Bluetooth technology to connect its speakers and built-in microphone to any Bluetooth-enabled device. A safe and convenient way to listen to music or chat on the phone, the bluGENIUS has a wireless range of 30 feet and a lithium-ion battery that provides up to 13 hours of listening or 5 hours of talk time.

Ingenious and profoundly practical, these three suggestions are just the beginning of our extensive Gadget Gifts collection.

With only a few days left until Thanksgiving, many of us have food on the brain—which dishes we’re planning, what ingredients we need to pick up, how we’re going to use up all of that tasty turkey, etc. With all the food talk around the holidays, however, one vital piece of the puzzle that is often overlooked; what food prep tools and strategies can make the holiday meal ritual an easier and more stress-free occasion for the cook?

We gave it some thought, and here are our four best problem solvers to keep holiday food prep clean, hygienic, quick and easy:

1) Slice and Catch Fruit and Vegetable Slicer

Love cooking, but hate slicing and dicing all those fruits and vegetables? Food prep can be a time-consuming task that can leave even the most enthusiastic cook feeling uninspired. Plus, there’s always the danger of nicking a finger (or worse), especially when you’re feeling rushed. Avoid any potential kitchen mishaps with the Slice and Catch Fruit and Vegetable Slicer, a handy kitchen tool that basically slices your fruits and veggies for you! Simply press the ergonomically shaped cup down on top of the fruit or vegetable you’d like to slice, and let the built-in stainless steel blades do the rest. Reduce prep time dramatically (and safely!) with this one go-to gadget.

2) Silicone Spill Guard for Stovetop and Microwave

With all the commotion involved in coordinating holiday meals, it’s easy to overfill pots, forget about boiling water, splatter liquids in the microwave or generally make a mess of your stovetop. With the Silicone Spill Guard for Stovetop and Microwave, however, you can rest assured that this unique dish-shaped spill guard will prevent boiling over and splattering by “catching” any bubbling liquid before it ends up everywhere. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe to help minimize post-Thanksgiving dinner cleanup, giving you more time to kick back with a slice of pumpkin pie and snuggle with loved ones.

3) 3-Tier Oven Casserole Baking Rack

When you’re catering to a large crowd, it can be difficult to find the resources to prepare a large number of dishes quickly and efficiently. The 3-Tier Oven Casserole Baking Rack, however, was designed specifically for this purpose! This ingenious baking solution accommodates three tiers of heavy casserole dishes in your oven, and still leaves you enough room for a large roasting pan. Now you can roast your turkey and your sides all at once—cutting hours off prep time! Relax and watch the game or the parade with family, and rest assured your turkey and sides will all be ready in time.

4) Vacu Vin Trivet Rings, Six-Pack

Like a game of Tetris, organizing a number of piping-hot pots, pans and serving dishes can be challenging—especially if trivets are in short supply. These six small, versatile trivet rings are a perfect solution to bring out for big holiday meals (or all year long!) to protect table and counter surfaces. Simply arrange the Vacu Vin Trivet Rings in the required shape and safely support any pan or dish—no matter its size! Plus, when the meal is over, the rings stack and click easily and compactly out of the way, taking up minimal space. Use them for both special and everyday occasions, and you’ll never rely on towels or other makeshift solutions again.

A stress-free Thanksgiving? Add that to the list of things we’re grateful for!

These (and many more!) versatile, food prep problem solvers can all be found in our Kitchen Solutions collection.

Whether you live in a shoebox-sized, urban apartment or just a house with a galley kitchen, space for kitchen non-essentials can be, well, non-existent. Even the savviest organizing mind can run into problems when it comes to decluttering the kitchen. All those fun, kitchen gadgets and pantry extras may not find a home in cramped cabinets or overstuffed drawers. Luckily, we’ve got kitchen organization ideas to help you wrangle in unruly utensils and containers and turn your kitchen into a stress-free oasis.

Step 1: How to Organize Kitchen Drawers

It’s a familiar scenario. You’re rooting around in kitchen drawers looking for that evasive potato peeler or corkscrew, without any luck. But you have succeeded in singlehandedly wrecking any semblance of order in the drawers you’ve investigated. It’s easy to grow frustrated when you’re trying to push and shove drawers filled with too many utensils closed. One simple organization tool, however, can solve any drawer space problem: the Customizable Silicone Kitchen Drawer Organizer. Instead of squeezing too many clunky utensils into a confined space or hard, pre-made drawer organizer, this utensil organizer comes equipped with a customizable, cut-to-fit silicone mat with stick-on dividers. Easily cut, fit and space an entire drawer’s contents with this stable, unique drawer divider. The splash of color also adds a subtle, yet vibrant touch to monochrome kitchens.

Step 2: How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets

If you’re wondering how to organize kitchen cabinets, a good place to start is with tracking down and stacking any miscellaneous containers, particularly those small spice bottles. The secret of many a delicious dish is its balance of spices and herbs, but keeping all of those round or square bottles and containers organized can be no simple task. In fact, as the years pass, many cooks—particularly those amongst us who like to experiment with new dishes and foreign cuisines—find their cabinets being consumed by a multitude of these awkwardly sized containers. The Classic SpiceStack 24 to 48 Bottle Spice Organizer with Labels is a straightforward solution that keeps all of those spice containers labeled, stacked and stored neatly in a compact space, so that you’re not dedicating shelves and shelves of cabinet space to the smallest containers in your kitchen. Store up to 48 half-sized or 24 full-sized spice bottles on one kitchen cabinet shelf to save precious space and keep spices orderly for quick and easy flavor addition.

Step 3: How to Declutter a Kitchen without a Pantry

Is your kitchen overflowing with snacks, canned goods, backup supplies and other miscellaneous items? If you have a door with hinges, we have the storage solution for you! This unique home organizer, the Cabidor Portable Home Organizer, latches on to any door and includes six adjustable shelves that provide additional storage, without damaging your doors. You can store canned items, cereal, sauces, bulk items, your family’s favorite snacks, etc., without clogging closets or spilling over onto countertops.

Keep your kitchen zen with these three easy storage solutions, and reap the delicious benefits. Check out even more great kitchen organization ideas in our Kitchen & Dining Organizers collection.

In the wake of recent hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wild fires, it pays to take extra steps to be prepared. So, in honor of Hurricane Sandy’s one-year anniversary, we’ve pulled together a list of our 5 simple ways to be prepared for any emergency situation.

1) Keep an Emergency Food Supply on Hand

In case extreme weather events, national emergencies or other unforeseen circumstances leave you and your family with no access to grocery stores, restaurants or food delivery services, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends keeping at least a 72-hour supply of non-perishable food on hand at all times. There may be power outages lasting for several days following a disaster, so stocking canned foods, dehydrated mixes and other staple items that don’t require refrigeration, cooking or other special preparation is essential.

The Wise Emergency Food Supply System is a brilliant, effortless way to ensure you and your family get the nourishment you need. This 72-Hour Emergency Food Supply includes a selection of seven gourmet breakfast, lunchand dinner entrées (42 servings in total) to choose from. One food supply package alone can feed a family of four! These freeze-dried, dehydrated meals are quick and easy to prepare—just add water—and the smart packaging design gives food a 25-year shelf life. Investing in a food supply is a wise decision that will give your family insurance against disaster.

2) Invest in an Emergency Supply Kit

After investing in a back-up food supply, creating an emergency supply kit is the next step in smart disaster preparation. Whether you’re isolated from access to stores, restaurants and other essential locations by an extreme weather event or other emergency, it’s important to keep a well-stocked supply of food, first aid and other survival essentials until utilities are restored. Compiling all of the items that you and your family would need in case of an unexpected emergency may seem like a daunting (and expensive) task—but the solution is actually quite simple.

The Wise 5-Day Survival Backpack is an all-in-one emergency supply kit and food supply that will ensure the comfortable survival of a family of four for a five-day period. Including 38 servings of freeze-dried, dehydrated, gourmet food entrées, the Survival Backpack also includes six 4.227 fl. oz. water pouches, one portable stove including 24 fuel tablets, one stainless steel cup, one squeeze flashlight, one 5-in-1 survival whistle, one 47-piece first aid and hygiene kit (including a 37-piece bandage kit), one N95 dust mask, one set of pocket tissues, three wet naps, one waste bag, one box of waterproof matches, one mylar blanket, one emergency poncho and one set of playing cards. You’ll sleep easier knowing that, should the unexpected occur, you’ll be ready to throw this backpack—full of nourishment, comfort and protection—over your shoulder and overcome adversity.

3) Alert and Protect against Floods

Floods are an increasingly common hazard in the U.S these days. Some floods develop slowly—building momentum, impacting only a small area, neighborhood or community and giving you time to formulate a plan to get to higher ground—while others can rip through large regions in a matter of minutes. Flash floods can occur as a result of excessive rainfall and overland flooding or, in more serious cases, dam or levee failure. In either case, it is important to be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but particularly in lower-lying regions, at sea level or below and near water or a dam or levee.

This Set of 3 Flood Buzz Water Leak Detectors helps to predict future flooding. Place the Flood Buzz at the lowest level of your house or near any potential flood spot, and enjoy the comforting knowledge that it will alert you if there is even a hint of a leak. If it detects water, it will emit a very loud alarm to indicate that there is a problem that needs immediate attention. In addition to providing advance warning if your basement, garage or crawlspace is beginning to flood, the Flood Buzz Water Leak Detectors also protect against common household leaks and damage and are ideal for placing next to washing machines, sinks, water heaters, radiators, bathrooms, basements, boats, pumps, etc. Be prepared for flash floods and protect against leak damage without constant monitoring; let these Flood Buzz Water Leak Detectors do the work for you!

4) Look to Alternative Energy Sources for Emergency Lighting

As the grid ages and thunderstorms and extreme weather conditions grow more common, power outages are likely to become more common, too. Whatever the cause of lost electricity, it can sometimes take hours, days or even weeks to restore power fully to affected areas. Battery-powered solutions help shed light, of course, in trying circumstances, but you don’t want to have to place your faith fully in something that ultimately requires electricity to recharge. Banging that flashlight won’t rejuvenate its battery, unfortunately, when it does eventually run out—leaving you sitting in the dark.

That’s when solar-powered solutions reveal their brilliance. This Solar Light Cap is an ingenious, hands-free solution that uses built-in solar panels to capture the sun’s energy and power its ultra-bright LED lights, conveniently built directly into the baseball cap’s brim for effortless directional lighting. The comfortable, unique baseball cap design is perfect for times when you need both arms to carry emergency supplies or navigate difficult terrain. The Solar Light Cap is also sealed against water and dust to industrial standard IP66 rating. Plus, its resilient, solar-powered design means you’ll never have to worry about replacing batteries, as long as you have access to the sun! A full day of sun provides up to 24 hours of light, using the dimming feature, or 3-4 hours of bright light, so that you and your family won’t be left sitting in the dark. Featuring four light modes (constant on, SOS signal, strobe and flash), it can also aid in drawing attention and bringing help to you sooner.

5) Stay Informed with an Emergency Radio

During an emergency, it is of the utmost importance that you stay as informed as possible of conditions as they arise, shift and change. This holds especially true during inclement or hazardous weather, when the direction of storms may shift suddenly nearby or directly into your path. The FEMA recommends keeping a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert on hand at all times for just such purposes. Battery-powered devices are a good option for short-term communications, but it is also wise to keep a longer-term solution in your emergency supply kit.

This Solar/Crank Emergency Radio is an ideal long-term solution, as it provides light, information, entertainment and peace of mind. Its two power options—solar-powered or hand-crank—allow you to power your main source of communications, no matter the circumstances, and its built-in LED flashlight enables you to find the correct radio channel, day or night. This digital radio keeps you informed of weather, emergencies and other salient information on both AM/FM radio and seven NOAA weather bands. It even has a built-in USB cell phone charger, battery charge indicator and handy carabiner, so that you can hang or attach it for continuous communication when you’re on the move.

With these five simple solutions, you can help minimize the impact of an unexpected emergency on your family, and ensure that you are all safe, warm, dry and nourished. For more great ideas on how to prepare for an emergency, shop our Emergency Preparedness Collection.